Every so often, there is just an overwhelming number of hot topics enveloping the UCLA sports scene. There is a lot going on in the sports world and so we decided to discuss a hodgepodge of topics for the latest showdown between the Daily Bruin Sports senior staffers.
What are three keys for UCLA to upset Stanford this Saturday in Palo Alto?
Nguyen: 1. Create pressure on Luck. Whether the defensive line can step up and force Luck to rush his throws could determine the outcome of the game. 2. The running game must control the tempo to give the defense a chance to rest. 3. Luck. Not Andrew, just stupid, dumb luck.
Ruffman: 1. Stanford’s run defense can’t be penetrated, while Brehaut has demonstrated that he has an arm ““ use him. 2. After moderate success at Oregon State, the UCLA defensive line needs to step up to disrupt Luck’s rhythm. 3. Figure out a way to make Luck miss the game. Create traffic, whatever.
Who should be the No. 1-ranked team in college football: Oklahoma or LSU?
Nguyen: Oklahoma has an unreal amount of weapons on offense in Landry Jones, Ryan Broyles, Brennan Clay, Kenny Stills, etc., but LSU has an NFL offense. I would love to disagree with you, but LSU deserves the No. 1 mark “”mdash; especially since it beat Oregon, Mississippi State and West Virginia, all ranked teams.
Ruffman: LSU deserves the No. 1 ranking. Its defense punishes every opponent with little regard for life-forms. Cornerback Tyrann Mathieu is a play-making monster. He’s even making a splash on the Heisman scene and could be the second-ever defensive player to win the trophy
UCLA women’s volleyball knocked off the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the nation, but isn’t No. 1. Should it be?
Nguyen: I hear what you’re saying with beating the top two teams, but Illinois is undefeated and it also beat ranked teams in Tennessee and Minnesota. Illinois will be facing undefeated No. 12 Purdue this week so its undefeated record could be in jeopardy, and UCLA would then take its place on top.
Ruffman: It’s just logical, right? If you beat then-No. 1 Cal and then-No. 2 Stanford, you should be the No. 1 team in the nation. UCLA is riding a wave of confidence right now after the weekend and seems almost unstoppable.
Which Bruin team do you think is the surest bet to win a national title?
Nguyen: While women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer are all threats, I have to go with men’s volleyball. It’s head coach Al Scates’ final season, and the team is returning every starter but one. The talent is there, the passion is there, the scene is set for a storybook ending to Scates’ career.
Ruffman: Women’s golf returns much of the team that won the national championship last year, so the prospect of winning No. 108 makes sense. The athletes have been in fine form during the offseason and have been imposing their will in various tournaments across the nation.
What are you more excited for in “Moneyball”: Brad Pitt or baseball?
Nguyen: While Brad Pitt is one of my favorite actors and I have the utmost respect for him as a man (Jennifer Aniston AND Angelina Jolie), I can’t help but look forward to seeing my A’s on the big screen. I’ve been a fan since I was a toddler and we don’t have much to look forward to right now, so “Moneyball” is about as exciting as it gets.
Ruffman: Obviously Brad Pitt. Imagine how stoked Billy Beane is right now. There is no better way to flatter someone than to tell him that Brad Pitt will be portraying him in a motion picture. Beane’s confidence must be through the roof.